Action:
Close recreational fishing for Pacific halibut in the northern coastal waters.

Effective date:
11:59 p.m. on Thursday, May 20, 2004

Species affected:
Pacific halibut

Location:
Marine Catch Record Areas 3 and 4, which extend from the Queets River north to the Canadian border and inside the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the Sekiu River.

Reason for action:
The first portion of the catch quota for Pacific halibut in these areas is projected to be taken by the end of the day Thursday, May 20.

Other information:
Fishing for halibut in other areas are not affected by this action. Halibut fishing will remain open in Puget Sound east of the Sekiu River (except the waters between the Sekiu River and